Nationwide

NEH

I thought I must be going mad as so many of you have Nationwide accounts for going abroad and the moneysaving article still recommends opening an account for this purpose, that I must be missing soemthing when it says you have to transfer everything to them....So I have double checked and it still says that. So do most people just have a Nationwide account anyway? Or do you transfer one or two direct debits to meet the opening criteria?

Baldur

I've never had to transfer anything to Nationwide, their application merely says:

Step 1:
Apply now for a FlexAccount. You can choose to transfer your account when you apply.

You only need to pay £100 into the Flex a/c (or open another specified account) when you receive your card - see options HERE.

busiscoming2

Ditto, We opened ours about a year ago and we only use it to save for our holidays and spend on the debit card when away.

phatbear

Double ditto here, I just use it to top up with money then gonna use it on our hols.

moneypooh

Us too
no problems with it not being our main account

NEH

Is it worth getting the cash card? I am not eligible for the debit card so is the cash card any good when using abroad or does it incrue high charges too like my debit card?

benjus

NEH wrote: »

Is it worth getting the cash card? I am not eligible for the debit card so is the cash card any good when using abroad or does it incrue high charges too like my debit card?

The cash card is actually better right now (in theory at least) as it's free worldwide, while the debit card is now only free in Europe. However, the cash card is on the Mastercard network, who don't publish their exchange rates (unlike Visa, which publishes rates for major currencies). Still, the rates shouldn't be very different to Visa's.

mystic_trev

benjus wrote: »

The cash card is actually better right now (in theory at least) as it's free worldwide, while the debit card is now only free in Europe. However, the cash card is on the Mastercard network, who don't publish their exchange rates (unlike Visa, which publishes rates for major currencies). Still, the rates shouldn't be very different to Visa's.

Are you sure that's right? If so I'm onto a winner, as I have two Flex accounts. One with a Cash card and one with a Visa debit card. I use tham both when I've been abroad and the ROE's don't seem to differ.

Thanks

Baldur

mystic_trev wrote: »

Are you sure that's right? If so I'm onto a winner, as I have two Flex accounts. One with a Cash card and one with a Visa debit card. I use tham both when I've been abroad and the ROE's don't seem to differ.

Yes it's right....at the moment anyway. The Cash Card is operated by Cirrus, from memory, rather than VISA.

See http://www.nationwide.co.uk/current_account/foreigntransactions.htm

Select "I have a Cash Card Account that I use to withdraw cash when I'm on holiday. Will I be charged?"

No. Initially, only Visa debit card transactions will have a fee applied. Your cash card is run by a different provider and is only available for withdrawing cash (it does not have facilities to make purchases online or at retailers). Our Cash Card Account is our Basic Bank Account and is available/suitable for customers who meet the Basic Bank Account criteria.

NEH

Thank you -I now have to wait to supply ID, though I was wondering whether it would be quicker to take it into a branch. Know you used to be able to do that but not sure anymore :huh:

Not sure I can get it in time for my trip unfortunately as they say 2 weeks...

RaiderHammer

busiscoming2 wrote: »

Ditto, We opened ours about a year ago and we only use it to save for our holidays and spend on the debit card when away.

Ditto opened last month for this very reason. Just paid some money in and not moved any direct debits or direct credits there.